The Full Wiki



More info on Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): Map
  
  
  

Wikipedia article:

Map showing all locations mentioned on Wikipedia article:


The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is a large Methodist boys' secondary school in Singapore. It is a descendant of a school established in 1886 by Bishop William F Oldham at 70 Amoy Street, Singapore, and one of a group of educational institutions collectively known as the Anglo-Chinese School. In recognition of its independent status, the school, previously Anglo-Chinese Secondary School (ACSS), was renamed ACS (Independent) in 1988. It shifted to its current Dover Road campus in 1992. Further extension work began in 2005 and the school campus now consists of 11 hectares of land, classrooms and laboratories, a boarding school and sporting facilities. The school extension cost S$58 million, most of which was subsidised by the Ministry of Education. The remainder (roughly S$12 million) was financed through fundraisers.

ACS (Independent) was consistently ranked as one of the top secondary schools in Singapore in the now-defunct official school rankings released by the Ministry of Education. It was awarded the pinnacle award of MOE's Masterplan of Awards, the School Quality Award (SQA), the School Excellence Award (SEA) together with the School Distinguished Award (SDA).

In October 2009, it was revealed to the public that ACS (Independent) was awarded the Singapore Quality Award (SQA), the most prestigious award that can be attained by any Singapore-based company.

The school offers two main education routes - the Express Stream and the Integrated Programme. The Express Stream is a four-year course leading to GCE 'Ordinary' Level Examinations, while the Integrated Programme is a six-year course culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It was recognised as an IB World School in 2005 and its first batch of students did well: nine students out of the 20 who obtained a perfect score of 45 points came from ACSI.

History

Aerial view of the school.
From L to R: sports complex, boarding school, original main building, IB block
ACSS was offered 'independent' status by Singapore's Ministry of Education in 1987. This was accepted by the ACS Board of Governors. Between 1987 and 1989, plans were drawn up for the establishment of a new campus for ACS at Dover Road. In January 1992, the move to the new campus was completed. The site was opened by Dr Richard Hu, Minister of Finance of Singapore, on 1 March 1993, the 107th anniversary of the school’s founding by Bishop Oldham. In 2008 the school celebrated 20 years of independence by having a two-day-long celebration on 29 February 2008 and 1 March 2008. The event was attended by Dr Tony Tan, for the government. The school also released a set of limited edition stamps for local use and a 20th anniversary book.

Education routes

ACS (Independent) has long offered the GCE 'Ordinary' Level Examinations for its students, and in this respect has been ranked amongst the top 10 institutions in Singapore for a number of years since 1995. In recognition of its academic excellence, ACS (Independent) was invited by the Ministry of Education to run an Integrated Programme, which is targeted at high-achieving students. As these students are expected to attend university, the Ministry of Education decided that it would benefit them to bypass the GCE 'O' Level Examinations, and sit directly for a pre-university examination. Accordingly, in 2004 ACSI began its Integrated Programme, with a view to preparing its students to sit for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Intakes for the Integrated Programme are at Years 1, 3 and 5.
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), IB block


IP students take different subjects from the Express stream students, helping them to adjust to the rigours of the IBDP. Amongst the subjects specially catered for the Integrated Programme include Introduction to Human Societies (IHS): a multi-disciplinary humanities subject; Language Arts, an English Literature subject; and Philosophy of Disciplines (POD): a Philosophy subject. In addition, they also have to complete a total of 100 Hours of Creativity, Action, Service, and Leadership (CASL) and submit an Individualised Study Option (ISO) which prepares them for the IBDP's Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE).

In January 2008 it was reported by The Straits Times that ACS(I) students taking the IB exams for the first time had produced results that were among the best in the world: nine students had obtained the perfect score of 45, making up almost half of the 20 candidates worldwide to do so. It was also reported that ACS(I)'s performance puts it among the top three IB schools in the world.

In addition, most students are provided with a Tablet PC (Toshiba or Fujitsu) running a Microsoft operating system.

Principals

The Principal is Dr Ong Teck Chin, who has held the post since 1994. He is also the school's Chief Executive Officer. In 2009 he became the longest-serving principal of the Anglo-Chinese School, outserving T.W. Hinch. Dr Ong has used the "Blue Ocean Strategy" so as to provide the students with better education.

Houses

The clock tower


Boarding School

ACS (Independent) Boarding School
The ACS (Independent) Boarding School is at 119 Dover Road, Singapore 139650. It houses around 400 students, mostly overseas scholars from the People's Republic of Chinamarker, Indonesiamarker, Vietnammarker, Malaysiamarker, and Indiamarker.

The principal sometimes invites students who under-perform academically to stay in boarding school during important years such as Year 4. This is because many of the teachers residing in the boarding school provide academic assistance to students staying there during a daily 2-hour prep time.

There are nine halls in the Boarding School, named after famous figures that contributed to the school:

  • Hall 1: T.R. Doraisamy
  • Hall 2: Lee Kong Chian
  • Hall 3: Tay Eng Soon
  • Hall 4: Thio Chan Bee
  • Hall 5: Runme Shaw
  • Hall 6: H.M. Hoisington
  • Hall 7: T.W. Hinch
  • Hall 8: William F. Oldham
  • Hall 9: J.S. Nagle


The Shaw Library and Resource Centre

The library is named after its financial benefactor, Runme Shaw. It contains over 25,000 books, reference materials and IB syllabus-based course books. The library was extended in 2007, making it one of the largest school libraries in Singapore . Library facilities include the heritage walk, a permanent exhibition on the history of ACS and small 'Work Rooms' named after authors such as Dickens and Shakespeare. These rooms are equipped with whiteboards and projectors, and can be used by students and teachers to conduct supplementary lessons, revision classes, or group works and other curricular discussion.

The Shaw Library also houses 45 Personal Computers networked to the school server as well as the library printers. The school's Library Services Team runs and maintains the school library alongside professional librarians.

Co-curricular activities

As at all secondary schools in Singapore, it is compulsory for every student to take up a CCA. In ACS (Independent), each secondary school student is to participate in 2 CCAs, a Uniformed Youth Organisation and either sports, clubs and societies or cultural activities.

  • Clubs and societies
    • Art Club
    • Astronomy Club
    • Chess Club
    • Chinese Chess Club
    • Christian Fellowship
    • CyberAC (closed as of 2009)
    • Debate Club
    • Environmental Focus Group
    • Health and Fitness Club
    • Interact Club
    • Photographic Society
    • Math Competition Team
    • Media Productions AC
    • Multi Purpose Co-op Society
    • Outdoor Activities Club
    • Science Research Challenge


  • Cultural activities
    • Chinese Performing Arts
    • Choir
    • Dance Venia
    • Drama Club
    • Anglo-Chinese School Independent Stage (ACSIS)
    • Guitar Orchestra
    • Philharmonic Orchestra


  • Sports
    • Aikido
    • Badminton
    • Bowling
    • Basketball
    • Canoeing
    • Cricket
    • Cross-country
    • Fencing
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Netball
    • Rugby
    • Sailing
    • Shooting
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Squash
    • Swimming
    • Table-tennis
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Water-Polo
    • Wushu


  • Services
    • ACSPress
    • COMPSERV | CST
    • Media Resource Team
    • Prefectorial Board
    • Student Council
    • Library Services Team


  • UYOs
    • National Cadet Corps (Air)
    • National Cadet Corps (Land)
    • National Cadet Corps (Sea)
    • National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC)
    • National Police Cadet Corps (Land)
    • National Police Cadet Corps (Sea) (unit shutting down)
    • Boys' Brigade
    • Scouts
    • St John's Ambulance Brigade
    • Symphonic Band


Achievements

Sports and games

ACS (Independent) has achieved good sporting results through the years, having produced national champions and national sportsmen. It has been strong in swimming, sailing, water-polo and rugby. It has won the "Top Boys School in Sports and Games" award ten times between 1998 and 2008. The record number of gold medals in a single season was achieved in 2002, where it won 13 gold medals and 11 silver medals. The school has held many winning streaks such as the "B" Division Rugby Title from 1997-2003 and the "C" Division Rugby Title from 1997-Present. In 2008, ACS (Independent) won a grand slam in Rugby, winning all three "A" Division, "B" Division and "C" Division titles.

National inter-schools championships (1989 onwards; 2007 onwards for "A" Division)

  • Air pistol
    • "C" Division
    • "B" Division: 2006, 2009


  • Air rifle
    • "C" Division: 2003
    • "B" Division


  • Badminton
    • "C" Division: 1996, 1997
    • "B" Division: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998


  • Bowling
    • "C" Division: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008
    • "B" Division: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006


  • Canoeing
    • "C" Division: 2000, 2004
    • "B" Division: 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • "A" Division: 2008


  • Cricket
    • "C" Division: 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
    • "B" Division: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009


  • Golf
    • "C" Division: 2008
    • "B" Division


  • Rugby (15-a-side)
    • "C" Division: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • "B" Division: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008
    • "A" Division: 2008


  • Sailing
    • "C" Division: 1999, 2000, 2001,2004, 2006
    • "B" Division: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008
    • "A Boys" Division: 2008


  • Softball
    • "C" Division
    • "B" Division: 2006, 2007
    • "A" Division:silver 2007, 2008


  • Squash
    • "C" Division: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
    • "B" Division: 2003, 2006, 2007
    • "A" Division: 2007, 2008


  • Swimming
    • "C" Division: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009
    • "B" Division: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009


  • Tennis
    • "C" Division: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005
    • "B" Division: 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
    • "A" Division: 2008


  • Water-Polo
    • "C" Division: 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2009
    • "B" Division: 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006


  • X-Country
    • "C" Division
    • "B" Division: 2004


Odyssey of the Mind

ACS (Independent) has been affiliated with the international Odyssey of the Mind competitions since 1998, when its teams represented Singapore at the World Finals in Disneyworldmarker, Floridamarker. In 1999, 2000 and 2001, ACS(I) sent teams to the Finals at the University of Tennesseemarker and University of Marylandmarker respectively. Dr Ong Teck Chin, the school's principal, is also the tournament director for OM in Singapore.[148113]

In 2006, ACS (Independent) sent three teams to compete in the World Finals in Iowa State Universitymarker, USA. ACS(I) won its first under-20 World Champions title. It also won the Under-20 Silver Medal and Under-15 Bronze Medal. The World Champions team was composed of year 5 students, the first batch of ACS(I) students taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

In 2007, ACS (Independent) sent four teams to the World Finals in Michigan State Universitymarker, USA. For the first time, two teams were crowned World Champions in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories. The other two teams clinched 4th place in another Under-15 division and 5th place in another Under-20 division.

Recent results

2002: University of Colorado, USA
  • Under-15 World Champions


2004: University of Maryland, USA
  • Under-15 World Silver
  • Under-15 World Bronze
  • Under-20 World Bronze


2005: University of Colorado, USA
  • Record 5 National Champions
  • Under-15 World Champions
  • Under-20 World Silver


2006: University of Iowa, USA
  • Under-15 World Bronze
  • Under-20 World Silver
  • Under-20 World Champions


2007: Michigan State University, USA
  • Under-15 World Champions
  • Under-20 World Champions


2008: University of Maryland, USA
  • Under-15 World Champions
  • Under-20 World Champions


2009: University of Iowa, USA
  • Under-15 World Champions
  • Under-20 World Champions


Cultural activities

ACS (Independent)'s Philharmonic Orchestra has obtained five consecutive Gold Awards in the Singapore Youth Festival competition, and is the only youth string ensemble to have done so. The Orchestra achieved two Gold with Honours awards at the recent 2007 SYF competition, for both its Secondary and College String groups. It has collaborated with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band in March 2007, and also became the featured orchestra in the 2007 HSBC Young Talents' Concert.

The Symphonic Band won a Gold with Honours award in the 2005 and 2007 SYF competition, the only youth wind ensemble to have done so in Singapore. It was ranked as one of the top three bands in both the 2005 and 2007 SYF competition. The band recently took part in the 17th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney, Australia, and attained a Gold Award. In the 1st Singapore International Band Festival, the band achieved the only Gold Award in the Open Category, and achieved second place in the Finals, winning $4000. In June 2008 the Symphonic Band flew to Osaka and Fukui, Japan, visiting many school bands as part of a foreign exchange programme. Also, in April 2009, they received the third consecutive Gold With Honours in Singapore Youth Festival Competition, being the only school besides St Patricks' School to have achieved so.

The Guitar Orchestra, established in 2003, has won three consecutive Gold medals in the SYF competitions, with a Gold award for its Secondary Orchestra and a Gold with Honours award for its College Orchestra in the 2007 SYF competition. The Guitar Orchestra now has a total of three Gold medals and one Gold with Honours medal from three consecutive SYF Central Judging competitions.

In 2002, the school staged a musical, 'Godspell'. The students were directed by a Singaporean actor and director, Glen Goei. The music was handled by Cultural Medallion winner Iskandar Ismail, a Singaporean composer and musical director, while the choreography was handled by professional choreographers under supervision of Richard Tan.

In 2006, a combined orchestra featuring members of the Symphonic Band, Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir and Guitar Orchestra took part in an original musical, 'Haven'. It received three performances on 4 August and 5 August 2006. The same year, the Christian Fellowship also put up an evangelical play entitled Genesis. This was followed up with another evangelistic concert in 2007 entitled Exodus, which featured Christian bands Truthmin and the CF's own band, History Makers.

General awards for 2006

ACS (Independent) has achieved the following awards for the year of 2006:
  • Best Practice Award for Organisational Effectiveness
  • Best Practice Award for Staff Well-Being
  • Best Practice Award for Student All-Round Development
  • Best Practice Award for Teaching and Learning
  • Achievement Award for Academic Value-Added
  • Sustained Achievement Award for Physical and Aesthetics
  • Sustained Achievement Award for Sports
  • Sustained Achievement Award for Uniformed Groups
  • CHERISH Platinum Awards
  • Singapore Quality Award
  • School Distinction Award
  • School Excellence Award


Discipline

ACSI is proud to have inherited the ACS tradition of strict discipline, achieved through the use of demerit points, suspension and, where necessary, caning. Principal Dr Ong has said:"We have corporal punishment for serious offences. If parents disagree, then they should not have put their child in this school".Dr Ong has extended this policy to the new Year 5 and Year 6 levels (students aged up to 19), for male students only. Thus, the ACSI publicity material for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme emphasises that students guilty of academic dishonesty, if male, may be caned. It adds that "all students who have been caned will be required to attend counselling".

Canings at ACSI are normally of two or three strokes. The amount is decided upon by Dr Ong but he does not administer them himself. The punishment is delivered to the seat of the offender's trousers as he bends over a chair. This may be carried out privately in the office, in front of the student's classmates, or, much less frequently, on the stage in front of the whole school, depending on the seriousness of the offence. A four-feet-long rattan is used, usually wielded by Mr Samuel Sim, Director of Discipline. To maximise the effectiveness of the punishment, he takes a run-up for each stroke (he is also the Badminton Coach). In the case of a public caning, the offender is normally required to make a public apology on the same occasion.

Up until the 1970s, when the school was still called ACS, there were no private canings, and all corporal punishment was carried out in front of the other students.

Mr Peter Joe Chia, who served the ACS family of schools for 41 years, and was Senior Assistant in charge of discipline at ACSS in 1979, has said that he was always a firm believer in "spare the rod, spoil the child" and for the school not to discipline its students effectively would be to fail in its educational mission. He has said, "It still brings me chuckles to find that the pupils I have 'spanked' will step forward to say 'hello' whenever they meet me". Students knew that the canings were fair, he noted.

See also



External links



Notes

1. ^ http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2004/pr2004sea_sda.htm", School Excellence Award (SEA), Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2006

References


Embed code:






Got something to say? Make a comment.
Your name
Your email address
Message